FAN FAVORITE RAPHAEL GLADU RETURNING TO STADE QUILLORAMA
It is with great enthusiasm that the manager of the Trois-Rivières Aigles, Matthew Rush, announces that he has signed the darling of the Stade Quillorama, Trois-Rivières native Raphaël Gladu, to a deal!
After retiring from professional baseball after a season, the 28-year-old outfielder has chosen to return to the Birds for the 2024 season! In 2019, 2021 and 2022, Gladu played for the Aigles and Équipe Québec in the now-defunct Can-Am League and Frontier League. In 200 games, he maintained a .321 batting average with 228 hits (50 doubles and 19 home runs) and 162 RBIs.
"I'm very motivated to make a comeback with the Aigles! I've been working hard in training for several weeks now and I can't wait for the season to start. I am very happy to see the formation that is being built. It's promising for summer 2024!" says the man who will return to his traditional number 6 with the Aigles.
For his part, the Aigles' manager was obviously thrilled when he learned of Gladu's desire to return to his team.
"This is probably one of the biggest announcements in the history of the Aiges' franchise. It's a fan favorite and everyone is happy that it's back. He's a very dynamic player and we missed his offensive contribution last summer. It will perfectly complement the outfield portrait. I'm extremely happy to be able to count on him this summer! Rusch says.
A 16th round pick of the New York Mets in 2017, Gladu played 133 games in the affiliated baseball network before making the jump to independent baseball. With the Kingsport Mets (Rookie), Columbia Fireflies (Level A) and St. Lucie Mets (Level A+), he posted a .251 average while collecting 122 hits and 52 RBIs.
Last summer, Gladu suited up for the Shawinigan Cascades of the Quebec Major Baseball League. In 26 games, he maintained an impressive .536 batting average and a .125 slugging average while collecting 50 hits, including 16 doubles and 11 home runs, as well as 38 RBIs.
In the administrative team, Gladu's return also makes many happy at the dawn of the next campaign. "With Raphaël back, it's definitely very good news in terms of baseball, as he has already proven that he belongs to the elite of this league. But the return of a Trois-Rivières native who is appreciated by the public is also news that will have very positive repercussions for fans in terms of various promotions and ticket sales," said general manager Jérôme Duchesneau.
Gladu's signing joins outfielders Louis-Philippe Pelletier and Rodrigo Orozco, infielders Dalton Combs, Brendon Dadson, Brandon Hernandez and Edouard Savoie, and pitchers Osman Gutierrez, Didier Vargas, Logan Hofmann, Hernando Mejia, Michell Miliano, Kosei Naito, Angel Obando and Tucker Smith. Receiver Willie Estrada also joined the group in a trade.
The Aigles will begin their 11th season history – their 3rd in the Frontier League – on May 10, 2024 when they visit the Sussex County Miners. As for the home opener at Stade Quillorama , it is scheduled for Friday, May 17, 2024 against the newest team of the circuit, the New England Knockouts.
